About ESI
Employees' State Insurance (ESI)is a self-financing social security and health insurance scheme for Indian workers. It is administered by the ESI Corporation, a body corporate under the Ministry of Labour.
Applicability:
- Applicable to all establishments with 10+ employees
- Employee earning ≤ ₹21,000/month (or ₹25,000 for persons with disability)
- Mandatory unless exempted
Contribution Rates (as of 2024):
- Employee:0.75% of gross salary
- Employer:3.25% of gross salary
- Total:4% of gross salary
ESI Benefits:
Medical Benefits
Treatment at ESI hospital
Cash Benefits
Sickness, disability, injury
Maternity Benefits
Medical & cash benefits
Disability Benefit
Work-related injury support
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is covered under ESI?+
ESI covers all workers (except those earning above ₹21,000/month unless PWD) in establishments with 10 or more employees. It includes manual workers, skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, and some supervisory staff. Self-employed individuals and certain other categories are not covered.
What are ESI benefits?+
ESI provides comprehensive benefits including: medical treatment at ESI hospitals, cash benefits for sickness/disability, maternity benefits, disability compensation for work injuries, dependent benefits, medical care for dependents, and rehabilitation services. These benefits protect workers and their families against various contingencies.
What happens if salary exceeds ₹21,000?+
If an employee's gross salary exceeds ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for PWD), they are NOT eligible for ESI coverage. They are automatically excluded from the scheme. However, if the employee was previously covered and salary increases beyond the limit, coverage may be discontinued.
Can ESI cards be used in any hospital?+
ESI cards can be used in ESI hospitals and also in network private hospitals authorized by ESI Corporation. Not all hospitals accept ESI cards. You should check if a hospital is in the ESI network before visiting. Emergency care may be available in non-network hospitals with prior approval.